Customer Reviews

In Search of the Forlorn Hope : A Comprehensive Guide to Locating British Regiments and Their Records (1640 to WWI), Two Volume Set

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The clever title provides a clue to the purpose of these volumes. Often, trying to trace a British army ancestor's movements through time and geography can be a "Forlorn Hope" - much as the original "Forlorn Hope" of near-suicidal storming parties in the British army were given little chance of success.

The first volume is prefaced with information on the history of the British army, a discussion of records of genealogical value, solving the first hurdle of determining a man's regiment, and case studies in tracing British army ancestors.

The bulk of the volumes is concerned with giving locations for each regiment in all time periods covered. Knowing where the regiments were and when is key to following a soldier's career. Indispensible for the genealogists with British army ancestry. Very useful as well to the local historian and military history buff.

Having started research into the first stationary Irish Freemason Lodge in Gibraltar, it led me on to many of the founder members who were indeed military personnel. On making basic enquiries it was suggested by the National Army Museum,Chelsea,London to purchase "In search of the 'Forlorn Hope' which might help in my research. I can say that from this plus assistance from the military museums i have now established all the regiments that were stationed in Gibraltar up to 1914, also adding their name changes from when they were raised to Viscount Edward Cardwell changes (secretary of state for war,1868-74)when he reformed Army Regiments in 1881 and from thenceforth Regiments were amalgamated and regiments names changed. I also included the Colonels names until July 1751 when a Royal Warrant directed that thenceforth all regiments should be known by their numbers, or ranking in the Line.

Whilst using this very useful two volume book, I have come across items that people should be made aware of.

In the Index that starts on page 1528 there are a few places listed that are in fact in Gibraltar. These are under the section - Mediterranean (page 1561) the following places are shown.

Catalan Bay (page 1269),Europa Flats (1270),Europa Hill (1270),Town Range (1274),Windmill Hill (1032) and North Front (1274)

A point I would like to make is concerning the microfiches, unfortunately i had no means of looking at these and therefore loose out from the information these hold. Perhaps another format CD etc. might be a better way to store the information.

All in all an excellent source for the military researcher.